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To effectively combat a disease, it is necessary to understand its mechanism of action. Researchers from a French start-up have just discovered how HIV can destroy the immune systems of people with the disease. They thus pave the way for new therapeutic strategies.
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[EN VIDÉO] What are the differences between bacteria and viruses? They are microbes. They are very small and we get them confused quite easily. However, bacteria and viruses are two very different things. And to effectively fight against those who cause disease, it is best to clearly identify them.
As the virus of the ‘immunodeficiency human, the infamous VIH, acts on ours immune system? Almost 40 years after its discovery, the question still arose. But the Accurate researchers , one to bootFrench specialist in biotechnology, I just did in it matters, which appears to be an important discovery, with the support of several renowned partners such as the Institut Pasteur, the CNRS and Inserm.
Remember that nearly 40 million people live together around the world VIH . This virus is unique in that it attacks directly lymphocytes – and in particular to those called CD4 + -, these White blood cellswhich play a key role in immune function. It decreases their number and makes those that remain dysfunctional, exposing the body to infections and tumors . It has been known for a long time.
HIV works together with an enzyme in the patient
But surprisingly, while less than 1% of lymphocytes IT CD4 + are infected with the virus, they all seem dysfunctional. And it is this phenomenon that the researchers were struggling to explain. “Our discovery shows how the virus cooperates with a enzyme the patient induces lymphocyte dysfunction and allows HIV to do so neutralizes the immune responseof the patient “, explains Professor Jacques Thèze, co-founder of Diaccurate in a press release .
Towards an antibody that can cure cancer and AIDS?
More precisely, the researchers emphasize the role of the enzyme PLA2G1B – in other words phospholipase endogenous A2 Group 1B – an enzyme naturally secreted in ours digestive systemfrom ours pancreas . In patients with HIV, it turns out that CD4 lymphocytes, weakened by a fragment of the virus – a protein gp41 envelope that attaches to lymphocytes – it will be attacked by this enzyme. With, consequently, a deformation of their membrane by aggregation of proteins in a non-homogeneous way.
This mechanism seems to explain both the reduction in the number of CD4 + T cells and their loss of efficacy. Because more than 80% of CD4 T lymphocytes in infected patients are present anomaliesmorphological. Researchers call these cells irregular cells. And their discovery opens the way for novelty therapeutic routes .
Diaccurate also announces that it has already developed an antibody monoclonal humanized called Plazumab which neutralizes the enzyme PLA2G1B and reverses the process. This antibody it is now entering a phase of preclinical regulatory development. It may also be useful in the treatment of some cancers. But the way to a file therapyHIV will still be long and costly.
What you need to remember
- HIV weakens our immune system.
- For this, it works together with an enzyme secreted by the pancreas.
- A discovery that opens up new therapeutic paths.
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